NHL players are remarkable for their community service and charitable contributions, often in support of sick children.
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Steve Staios is one of many NHL players we are proud of because of his hands-on involvement in support of ailing kids. We take note of him here because of his effort to go another step. Quite a few players purchase blocks of seats, and even expensive season suites, and make them available to help charities provide some fun for kids. Their efforts are hailed in their communities.
Staios stands out because he's there to host those children when they come to the Camp Trillium suite at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario. When he can't be present, due to his NHL travel schedule, his parents, Paul and Mary, are there for the kids. It's a nice confluence of the varied aspects of Staios's life because Staios grew up in Hamilton and the Oilers have an affiliation there with the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs.
The 2004-05 NHL work stoppage provided Staios the time to determine how he could best meet his goal of making a meaningful charitable contribution.
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Schedule / Links:
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| Gm. 1: CAR 5, EDM 4 | Photos |
| Gm. 2: CAR 5, EDM 0 | Photos |
| Gm. 3: EDM 2, CAR 1 | Photos |
| Gm. 4: CAR 2, EDM 1 | Photos |
Gm. 5: June 14, 8:00 p.m. ET
at Carolina (NBC, CBC, RDS) |
*Gm. 6: June 17, 8:00 p.m. ET
at Edmonton (NBC, CBC, RDS) |
*Gm. 7: June 19, 8:00 p.m. ET
at Carolina (NBC, CBC, RDS) |
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"My wife, Susanna, and I always wanted to do something to help out in the community," Staios said. "We always wanted to do more. The lockout afforded us the time to pick a charity, understand it and try to be a bigger part of it.
"The idea of getting a suite at Copps Coliseum for these kids was to try to get them out of their situation for a couple of hours. Most kids in their situation have to deal with hospitals and doctors and nurses and tough situations. So, to get them out to a game and buy them some popcorn and pop was something we thought would cheer them up a little bit and have a good night.
"The idea, during the lockout, of me personally being able to be there was pretty special. My parents live in Hamilton and they've been able to take that over when I'm not there. They get down there and make sure the popcorn is fresh and the pop is poured. We've had someone there almost every game."
Each year over 400 children are diagnosed with cancer in southern Ontario, according to the Camp Trillium website. The diagnosis is devastating not only to the child, but also to the entire family. It is Camp Trillium's goal to ensure that children living with cancer have a special place to go to be away from the disease, if only briefly, and to be children and enjoy all that childhood should be -- fun and full of friends. Year-round, Camp Trillium offers 54 programs throughout the province of Ontario for children living with cancer and their families.
Children attend camps at Garratt's Island and Rainbow Lake in the summer. The Staios family offers another opportunity in the other seasons.
"We wanted to do something locally, where I grew up, and Camp Trillium is a local charity that works with kids," Staios continued. "Those were the two main things. It's a camp where kids can go and have some fun, feel like a real kid and forget about their troubles. You get so focused on playing, on doing your job and you don't get the chance to give back. I realized during the lockout how much I can do and how much kids and other people look up to me. It was a nice opportunity for me and my family."
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"My wife, Susanna, and I always wanted to do something to help out in the community. ... The lockout afforded us the time to pick a charity, understand it and try to be a bigger part of it." - Steve Staios
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Staios, 32, was a second-round draft pick by the St. Louis in 1991 and got traded out of the Blues' minor-league system to the Boston Bruins in 1996. The Vancouver Canucks picked him up on waivers in 1997 and the Atlanta Thrashers took him in the 1999 NHL Expansion Draft. He served as captain of the Thrashers during his tenure there. Staios went back and forth between the Thrashers and the New Jersey Devils, without leaving his living room, in a pair of draft-day deals in 2001 and the Oilers signed him as a free-agent in 2001. He clearly got better as he got older and he's still getting better.
These Stanley Cup Playoffs have showcased his skills, leadership ability and character.
"Your dad might be close to Pat Quinn's age. I know Hamilton is a big city but is there any chance they knew each other growing up?" Staios was asked.
"No, my dad didn't know much about hockey," Staios said. "Both of my parents immigrated from Macedonia when they were teenagers and they met in Hamilton. So, it was always soccer when I was growing up. That's what we knew. I didn't get on a pair of skates until I was seven."
Staios told the Edmonton Sun's Robert Tychkowski that he initially lived in a one-room house with a wood stove and nine family members, including his grandparents. His folks worked to purchase a grocery store with a three-bedroom apartment above. His parents took shifts working from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. He and his sister helped. He admits she did more and his parents found a way to afford hockey for him. He's achieved a sense of financial security and convinced them to sell the store and enjoy life more. But he wants his children to learn the lessons of a hard-working family.
Macedonia, the northern Greek province, or Macedonia, the 15-year-old adjacent Balkan nation spun off in the Yugoslavian Civil War? Greece pitched a beef about the new nation taking the name and Staios showed instant awareness of the dispute.
"Macedonia, the independent country. That's the way we want it known!" he replied with vigor.
Staios is proud of his heritage and his parents. Why not? Look at the son they raised.
